No Shame

Elliot Spitzer, Anthony Weiner and the absence of shame.

The stories of former Governor Elliot Spitzer, former Representative Anthony Weiner, and former Governor Mark Sanford contain a powerful message.

These three men admitted to being guilty of degrading moral lapses and each of them had to resign in disgrace from his office of public trust. End of story? Unfortunately, no. Each of them has now returned to the public spotlight. Sanford has been elected to the House of Representatives from his state of South Carolina, and, not to be outdone in the chutzpah department, Spitzer and Weiner are now running for high elective office in New York City – and are being given strong chances of being elected.

Now, there is such a concept as teshuva, repentance, in the religious life, and one would be less than compassionate in denying the theoretical possibility of teshuva to Spitzer and Weiner. But one can be forgiven for viewing their newfound penitence, and their shameless campaign to convince the public that they have been rehabilitated, as driven less by sincere piety than by calculated and cynical politics.

Which brings to mind the crucial role of shame in human life. Shame has been defined as a consciousness or awareness of dishonor, condemnation or disgrace. That consciousness stems from thought, from weighing options before making decisions – albeit the wrong decisions. This is why animals have no sense of shame, for an animal acts by instinct. For him there is no awareness of disgrace, and no shame involved in his actions, no matter how disastrous the results.

This is why the Talmud says that one of the three distinguishing features of the Jewish people is that we are baishanim, that we have a sense of shame (Yevamot, 79a). Shame is our distinctive characteristic. Without it, the self is easily debased, and we are like animals.

Without embarrassment, everything goes, and the concept of shame is fading from our lexicon.

The barriers of shame in general have been gradually toppling around the world, and most recently in the United States. What was once shameful and kept to one’s self is today a matter of pride and public display. Instead of being embarrassed by certain behaviors, it has become de rigueur to flaunt such behaviors, as if a sense of shame were a defect of character, a personal disability. In our narcissistic culture, where personal satisfaction and enjoyment reigns supreme, we are being taught that the healthy person has no sense of shame. We have lifted the taboos, so that shame itself has become shameful.

But beginning with Adam in the Garden who is ashamed because of his sin, that sense of shame is what makes us human.

Shame operates as a force of self-restraint. It reminds us of behavioral limits, of boundaries which we will not cross. A healthy sense of shame reminds us of our natural human obligations to others and to ourselves. This is very crucial, because history teaches one major lesson: when shame goes, the demise of civilization cannot be far behind. Which is a worrying factor about American civilization today: without embarrassment, everything goes, and the concept of shame is fading from our lexicon.

The searing words of Jeremiah leap from the page: “They should have been ashamed at the abominations they committed, but they felt not the least shame, nor did they know how to blush….” (Jeremiah 8:12).

That politicians who have so debased and humiliated themselves and their office should now seek public redemption by running yet again for public office is quite jarring. Most disturbing is the sense that they would not be running unless they felt they had a chance of winning. And what does this say about the voters who seem willing to return them to office? Is it that they are very forgiving, or that they see nothing terribly wrong in what these people did? Is the electorate totally amoral, or are we so desensitized that we do not expect better from elected officials?

We have got it backwards. The sense of shame is what makes us human. It is the last refuge of the sinner. When, as Jeremiah puts it, we have forgotten how to blush, that’s when civilization is in trouble. Shame is nothing to be ashamed of.

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About the Author

Rabbi Emanuel Feldman is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Jacob where he was Rabbi from 1952 until 1991. For thirteen years he was the editor of Tradition Magazine, the scholarly quarterly published by the Rabbinical Council of America. He is a former Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America where he also served as Vice President of its Beis Din (Rabbinical Court).

Ordained by Baltimore’s Ner Israel Rabbinical College, he holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. from Emory University. Rabbi Emanuel Feldman served as Adjunct Professor of Jewish Law at Emory University School of Law, and as Senior Lecturer at Bar Ilan University in Israel.

He has written nine books and over 100 published articles in magazines and newspapers such as Saturday Review, The New Republic, The Jerusalem Post and numerous Anglo-Jewish periodicals here and abroad.

Since his formal retirement from the active pulpit in 1991, Rabbi Emanuel Feldman has been dividing his time between the United States and Jerusalem. In Jerusalem he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Rashi Translation Project of Jerusalem’s Ariel Research Institute, which has recently published The Ariel Chumash. Presently, he is on the editorial staff of the Encyclopedia of Mitzvot.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 46

(38)
Anonymous,
August 3, 2013 11:02 AM

Judgement of others

We are commanded by Hashem to judge others to the good(fairly).I have lived long enough to be somewhat cynical, but I also believe in emulating Hashem's attributes, and in giving a person a second chance. Where would any of us be, if not for our own second chances?

(37)
H.E.Brown,
August 2, 2013 10:24 PM

What next ????

Spitzer,Weiner & the likes comebacks.

All I can think of is birds of a feather flock together.

I'll flock with you RABBI.

(36)
Richard,
July 30, 2013 5:49 AM

Politicians

"A politician is only as close to God as he can get without offending the devil"Quote by Wendell Phillips in 1855Somethings never change

(35)
Lisa,
July 30, 2013 2:05 AM

Pass the butter...

Did I hear Paula Deen was back?! Hope so!!

(34)
Beth Gibson,
July 26, 2013 6:07 AM

Like Some Animals

Some animals demonstrate shame. It is a shame that it seems hard-wired into them, into my so-dumb little dog, but not even an option in some humans who think they are the best to lead the rest.

(33)
H.E.Brown,
July 25, 2013 11:05 PM

MORE SHAME !

YOU WERE RIGHT RABBI . WEINER IS AT IT AGAIN !

(32)
David,
July 25, 2013 2:57 PM

Constant dripping hollows out a stone

Standards may be worn away so gradually that we're not aware of it and instead of sorrow we may feel sad we cannot get away with it.

(31)
D. Gould,
July 25, 2013 2:02 PM

Man Needs a Path

Many secular Jews don't think they need religion or the Torah. Another example of why we do. Had these guys read the Torah on a daily basis, I believe they would not have committed these transgressions. I do not believe this is a disease but just three weak, arrogant losers. Its a shame 2 of them are part of our tribe. My rabbi explains, when I ask why Jews can do these things, is that Jews have the potential to soar incredibly high, which we see every day, but they also possess the potential to fall incredibly low. The Torah keeps us soaring high. Too bad so many miss its beauty in their lives.

(30)
Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 9:06 AM

So sad

I am quite a amazed that a lot of readers seem to be able to draw a distinction between their public role and their private lives. But how can I trust a politician to act morally on behalf of his constituency when he cannot even act moral in his private life.

Having said that, I would also like to draw attention to the wives and families of these people. Spitzer & Weiner have brought great shame and pain on them. Weiner's wife even needs to debase herself to save his reputation. This is incredibly sad. No woman should experience this humiliation.If Spitzer & Weiner had any sense of self-respect & shame left, they would quiet politics and invest their energy in repairing their marriage. Instead, they selfishly put their careers before their wives and family. The Lord has given them beautiful wives and families, and yet they fail to see what gifts they have in their hands. An absolute tragedy. These people indeed have no shame

(29)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 8:08 PM

Why Poiticans Never Give Up Politics

A friend of mine in NY City told me why Politicans Never Give Up Politics..The Money is TOO good. All unspent donations are kept by the candidates. Matching Funds at the City, State & Ferderal Level are TOO enticing. Last but not least, these Politicains do NOT PAY TAXES on these donations. If I had to waite 6 months to a year to let the dust settle after my public humiliation. It's time well spend on re-building a new reputation. How can I get on this gig?

(28)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 4:59 PM

Yo vay

Is it really necessary to bring as an example specific Jew when the author writes about great concept such as shame? And why are readers judging someone who personally unknown to them? Does it imply that any frei Yid immoral? Maybe this article should have been named “Frei Yidn” or maybe the author should write an article about judging favorable and strength of tshuva ?! Is in it what Rabbi Noah Weinberg zt'l stood for ?

Only difference between them and us is that their closets are open to public view while ours are not. Regardless of how hard I try to be a G-dly person, I have numerous things to be shameful about. The evil inclination has shamed us all at times. Their shame is just more public.

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 11:33 PM

Going Forward

No that's not the only difference. A bigger difference is how one goes forward. How do we show that we are significantly improving in our actions. And as Jews, how can we be better Jews in our relationship to G-d and other human beings, based on our covenant with G-d through Torah. As I previously stated: We should not lower G-dly values and standards to our shortcomings and limitations; but rather that we should continually try to grow in the direction of those values and standards.

(26)
Gregory B,
July 23, 2013 5:03 PM

Politics is not religion

Rabbi Feldman makes a strong point about the importance of shame in society, but he offers no support for his primary assumption that a person who commits a shameful act is forever unfit to hold public office. Elliot Spitzer, the 'Sheriff of Wall Street,' earned a reputation for cracking down on unethical practices that had become routine in the financial sector. His ability to see problems and to tenaciously pursue their remedy against great opposition seems more important to me as a voter than his past inability to resist sexual impropriety. Marriage, in my personal experience, is complex arrangement and not everyone is well suited for it. It requires a certain skill set (including compromise, patience, restraint, compassion, and will-power) that is quite different from that of City Comptroller (a head for numbers, tenacity, the ability to understand complex systems, a drive for reform). While fidelity, for most married people, is an essential component of a strong marriage, there is no evidence that it is an essential part of effective government. It is part of our religious tradition, but so is understanding and forgiveness. It seems to me that Rabbi Feldman is conflating issues and it make me wonder why. In my experience the man who screams most loudly against something is usually a person who himself harbors the secret of the sin against which he screams. Show me an anti-gay crusader and I'll show you a closeted homosexual. Show me someone for whom marital infidelity disqualifies a man for life from ever doing good work in the public sphere and I'll show you a man who has himself stepped over the boundaries of his marriage.

bvw,
July 23, 2013 6:46 PM

Lust is not contract, prosecution for the example of it is not justice

In the same way Spitzer chases after his sexual lusts, he chased men with wanton disregard for justice, but for the sake of being the master of the chase. S&M as justice just doesn't cut it. Or whip it. Sorry.

(25)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 2:00 AM

This is what happens when we elect psychopaths

Politics and industry are riddled with psychopath - charming, manipulative, materialistic, and usually not spotted by people until they have been harmed or fleeced by these damaged souls. I cannot say for sure if either of these men are psychopaths but there have been studies showing that they tend to end up in charge in many cases. Their lack of shame allows them to make quick strategic decisions for they cannot care about anyone but themselves. I do not know why God made psychopaths with their now scientifically demonstrated deficits of proper neurological cabling to the centers of conscience. But I do know that when the vast majority of people see these morally broken people as leaders as exciting and charismatic and their behaviour therefor as something to aspire to then we may be dooming ourselves to a repeat of the Sodom and Gomorah scenario. These men are certainly behaving as psychopaths do - without conscience - without shame - and in for the thrill of political office. But I pray for Hashem to let there be a cure for psychopathy so people stop being sucked in by their manipulations and that psychiatry and medicine finds a way to foix what God made broken. And that good people have the sense to listen to those with the discernment to spot who we should be ashamed to elect.

That is not to say that these 2 MAY have repented and made a true change of heart. If they have not may it be G_d's Will to see to it they do not get elected and the American people get good leadership by competent and morally sound leaders. I think removing the inducement of high pay for political office would help get rid of this problem until there is a cure for psychopathy.

(24)
bvw,
July 22, 2013 7:36 PM

Hell and back

When one makes a real trip to hell and manages his way back, the return ticket bears one unmistakeable stamp. Humility.

Where is it in these men? It should be quite easy for even the horses, water buffalo and monkeys of life to vouch for it.

(23)
bvw,
July 22, 2013 3:20 PM

Hell

Aye, these men seem very capable still of making the lives of others hell. From that they have no been seen to slack off in the least. Shame reintroduces humility to the persona. If there is no humility, well -- shame hasn't knocked loud enough at the door. A humble person does not go to office seeking to make greater hells on earth for others.

Where is the humility in any of these men?

(22)
larry,
July 22, 2013 1:28 PM

David was no Saint

have you read the story Of King David lately? being an elected leader does not require one to be pure.

Andy,
July 22, 2013 5:09 PM

u may have missed the message re King David

King David a saintly leader who had a moral lapse considering his level even though Batsheva was likely a divorced woman. Not comparable to the pols mentioned here. Yehoudah and Tamar may be a better example who without great depth of understanding seem to have fallen off the path, but to compare those giants to ourselves and our lapsed politicians seems a stretch indeed

(21)
David A Fairman,
July 22, 2013 6:07 AM

Sin and Repentance who merits to be mashiach?

Why did Yehudah, who sinned with Tamar, merit to be tha father of the Mashiach, rather than Yosef Hatzdik, who did not sin? Is it not because he repented and admitted his error?

(20)
Anonymous,
July 22, 2013 3:58 AM

What about the other qualifications for office

Few would argue with the contention that officeholders and candidates for public position should be held to high ethical and moral standards, but other considerations also loom large. These include technical qualifications, education, past performance or job record and of course positions on issues confronting or concerning the electorate. I live far across the country from New York, so I do not know how well other candidates for the offices sought by Spitzer and Weiner compare in terms of background, capability or politics. I do know that in more than 40 years of voting I have never been satisfied with the outcome when I voted solely on the basis of morality and disregarded glaring deficiencies in other areas, nor was it a lick better when I overlooked repeated moral lapses in favor of other factors. I do believe violations of trust that involve blatant dishonesty on public issues or that cause financial loss, physical injury or death to others are much more significant in this context than anything I understand to have been done by Weiner or Spitzer.

(19)
H.E.BROWN,
July 22, 2013 2:19 AM

SHAME!

IT IS GETTING TO THE POINT, IN THIS WORLD WERE PEOPLE DO NOT FEAR GOD, SO THEY HAVE NO SHAME. BUT JUST A REMINDER DEAR FOLKS, THERE WILL BE A JUDGMENT DAY. I'M WITH YOU RABBI FELDMAN SIR.

(18)
Irving Resnick,
July 22, 2013 1:27 AM

I agree withyou about shame being an important component in society,But does that mean that someone like Mr. Spiitzer should bury himself in the sand for the rest of his life and die?He made a mistake and he paid.He is very capable and this country could still use his brain and his talent.Lighten up.

Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 4:34 AM

I hope the Rabbi doesn't take your advice.

I personally would not vote for someone like Weiner or Spitzer. I do not see the kind of actions that I would hope to see with a higher level of true change. This also includes the way they choose to live their lives as Jews.
On another note, I don't think they are the better candidates for the respective positions. Of course, it's up to the voters; at the same time, many cities are getting just what they voted in over the years. That's certainly true here in Michigan.
While writing, I hope Rabbi Feldman doesn't take your advice to "lighten up" related to his article. His quoting of Jeremiah is most appropriate and says it best. In essence, I appreciate those who believe that we should not lower G-dly values and standards to your shortcomings and limitations; but rather that we should continually try to grow in the direction of those values and standards.

(17)
Anonymous,
July 22, 2013 12:41 AM

Chutzpah personified

Have any of Rabbi Feldman's critics here read the scathing Op Ed recently published in the Wall Street Journal, comparing the "penitences" of these two brazen politicians with the actions of the similarly fallen John Profumo in the UK several decades ago? The profound humility and long years of the latter's atonement serve as a foil for Spitzer's and Weiner's shameless grab for power, so soon after their malefactions, To the commenter who refers to Spitzer's "only" mistake, have you forgotten about his threat to "steamroller" his opponents? Or about his overzealous prosecution of Hank Greenberg that was later found faulty when reviewed by a higher court? His inappropriate zealotry and personal animus against those whom he opposes, or who oppose him, show Spitzer lacks the temperament to deserve the nomination, even without considering the failures in his personal life.

(16)
Alvin,
July 21, 2013 11:03 PM

Teshuvah is more than that

Rabbi Feldman
Doesn't Maimonides say in Hilchot Teshuvah that teshuvah shleimah comes only when one is tested in the exact scenario of his previous sin, and withstands it? If so, perhaps these politicians SHOULD be placed in office again, as then they can have the opportunity to get it right this time!
Of course, if we can find someone better for the job....

(15)
henry,
July 21, 2013 9:46 PM

what was once shameful and kept to oneself is today a matter of pride and public display

Politicians are elected to carry out public functions, it is their competence that should count not their private lives.Elliot Spitzer had to resign in disgrace from office of public trust, he was not voted out of office, probably in carrying out his duties as Attorney General he made enemies .Even if in some jurisdictions engaging a prostitute is considered a crime, it is obvious he did not make a public display of it and his resignation was unrelated to how he performed his official duties. The newly appointed King of the Belgians has an unacknowledged illegitmate daughter, so he should not become King?

(14)
Anonymous,
July 21, 2013 9:36 PM

What about JFK and Clinton

Are they somehow absolved??

(13)
Frankie,
July 21, 2013 8:59 PM

Great article

This piece articulates beautifully why I was so amazed to learn that these three malefactors are aiming for or are already back in public life. I have no idea how much further we can fall, and I am so old I hope I never live to find out.

(12)
chiphires,
July 21, 2013 8:19 PM

re:Mark Sanford

More of a correction than comment. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford never resigned from his post despite the many calls that he do so. His finished his full term as governor, took a break from the public spotlight and office, then ran again for the congressional seat he had held before he was governor.

(11)
Dora Sher,
July 21, 2013 6:58 PM

Shame

It has been said that that People deserve the government they elect. If that is so, what kind of PEOPLE have we become? Does anyone remember Marion Berry who after being convicted of a crime ran, and was re-elected Mayor of Washington, D.C.

(10)
Avraham,
July 21, 2013 5:35 PM

I agree that our moral compass appears to be spinning in all directions these days, and that rugged individualism is running amok. However, I do find your article's condemnation of Spitzer, Weiner and Sanford too harsh and bordering on a holy-than-thou point of view. King David made some pretty colossal blunders in the morality department, but has this at all deterred us from regarding him as one of the most seminal and revered figures in Jewish history? Should we stop reading Tehillim (Psalms) because of King David's momentary lapses in judgement? Should we stop naming our sons after him?

(9)
ruth housman,
July 21, 2013 5:18 PM

SHAME & animals

It is not true animals do not ferl shame. My dog knows when he is bad as in gets into the garbage and he hides. This has been repeated with other pets who are quite cognizent and do understand!
It is wrong to make such assumptions. Shame is a powerful emotion that is shared with a very sensitive animal kingdom. The shame belongs to us in this day and age in not recognizing that exquisite sensitivity.

(8)
Beverly Kurtin,
July 21, 2013 5:04 PM

Mark Twain

Mark Twain was credited with saying that the human being is the only animal that can blush...or needs to.

The United States is now a farce. People like Sanford and Company are elected by morons "Gee, the guys said they were sorry, we'll trust 'em again." MORONS!

This country is being stolen from underneath our feet by something called Dominionism. It is a large group, and growing larger, of Christians who think that this should be a Christian country and are so "conservative" that their far right wing thinking is off the map. I refer to them as the Religious Wrong.

These people are against the Constitution of the United States, which is why I buy copies of the Constitution and hand out free to anyone I meet. I have had people REFUSE to take the booklet because as more than one of them has told me, "I don't believe in that stuff."

WHAT? There is a smell and taste of National Socialism about them. They hate anyone who isn't them. That means us, folks.

Remember, you read it here, that is why Republican Governors are trying to push the people who work for a living DOWN. Frankly, I'm a tad scared.

(7)
Bachman Nathan,
July 21, 2013 4:52 PM

Who are u to judge in G-ds place the heart if any man

Do u dare and To know what any person feels try to look at each person with a good eye and give them the benefit of the doubt just as I do to u

(6)
Albwert T,
July 21, 2013 4:20 PM

Hypocrisy

It's amusing that Rabbi Feldman is shocked (shocked!) by the fact that political figures who have fallen due to their moral failings ask for redemption by running again for public office. This happens everywhere. Just look at the way that Israeli rabbis are arrested for corruption and then run for the position of Grand Rabbi. In Israel politicians go to jail and then are reelected to office. Rabbi Feldman calls the voters "totally amoral", which is a symptom that he has let his rabbinic title go to his head. Is a person who has sinned not allowed to ask for public forgiveness? Rabbi Feldman should look inside his heart and find forgiveness for us lesser mortals.

Betty,
July 21, 2013 6:41 PM

Hypocrisy

Braco, Albwert...I am shocked (shocked) that Rabbiu Feldman has determined that Mr. Spitzer and Mr. Weiner have apparently no shame for their misdeeds because they have the 'chutzpah' to run again for public office. What arrogance he displays - and then he goes on to with an explantion of the word 'shame.' Where i his infinite wisdom did the Rabbi discover that Weiner and Spitzer have not felt shame? .

(5)
Anonymous,
July 21, 2013 4:07 PM

No shame in Israel

What do you say about the men found responsible for FOUR DEATHS being re-hired in Israel? A light unto the nations or what? What do you want from the USA?

(4)
Manuel F.,
July 21, 2013 4:06 PM

Connection Between Shame and Humility

If shame is felt how does it manifest? I am left wondering if any of these men felt shame how would they convey that to the public? It seems that it is like art, you know it when you see it, but how does the Jewish faith describe proper attrition? In my own experience I can sense when one is truly sorry when there is a sense of humility - not timidity but a respect or honouring that others may still be reeling from their missteps. Can you shed some light on this.

(3)
mark,
July 21, 2013 3:05 PM

tshuvah, the Jewish Hail Mary

As presented and which may fully elucidate the Jewish mission of Tshuvah, the author strongly suggests that holy forgiveness is achieved through Tshuvah. On the other hand, though, i believe, that though forgiveness may be achieved through genuine actions of Tshuvah, trust by the community and social milleiu is more difficult to gain. It should be. Hashem may more accepting of the human foible, but fellow humans who have been deceived and dishonored need not. I believe there is a dilemma, for the more sensitive and fragile human condition is a reflectiin of hashem's image, but we are not hashem. Our expectations are not.so easily manifested through Tsuvah to restore as before. That is only what Hashem.can do. Take the Bulgar murder trial, and other heinous crimes. Is it our role to accept and forgive when dastardly, abhorrent deeds are wrought? I say no amount of Tsuvah necessitates communal, social forgiveness. Perhaps acceptance. But forgiveness, for trust? I dont accept that Tshuvah is as the Hail Mary response.
Mark Roseman, Ph.D.
Child Custody Specialist and Family Mediator
Delray Beach, FL

(2)
Paul Emmett,
July 21, 2013 2:56 PM

Shame : Definition

I understand what you are getting at, but in mental health language today, shame is a belief in one's underlying defectiveness and unworthiness. It is a destructive emotion and leads people to more shameful behaviors in destructive cycles.On the other hand, how much time is enough? i happen to think that besides this shameful episode with the prostitute, Mr. Spitzer is a fine public servant and we need more like him in public life. I forgive him and wish him the best. Lets remember the whole thing was made public by Carl Rove in a hatchet job.I have noticed that many men who achieve power and prestige have trouble staying humble and somehow feel entitled to spread their DNA. It is a temptations which many good men have succumbed to. Let's give him our support in overcoming this sin, remembering that none of us are perfect. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.Mark Sanford is another matter, because he held himself up to be a paragon of virtue and is one of those politicians who seek to impose his "values" on the rest of us.

(1)
Alan S.,
July 21, 2013 10:04 AM

Excellent article, but a bit confusing. As I am not religious, several concurrent questions arise. First, does teshuva redeem a person who has shamed theirself? Secondly, if these men did teshuva, are they able to resume their livelihoods? Finally, can people treat a person that has shamed themselves but have done teshuva, can they treat them 'normally' again? For instance, in these cases, can a person vote these men into office based on political beliefs?From the overall context of the article, I deduce that the author believes that even a person who has done teshuva for the sin of shame can not resume their normal livelihood. Again, though I enjoyed this article, it left me with many questions.

Emanuel Feldman,
July 21, 2013 1:17 PM

Reply from the author

Excellent letter. To answer point by point:;
Genuine teshuva does redeem a person who has shamed him/her self.
In the eyes of Gd, say Maimonides and others, genuine teshuva entitles a person to resume a normal life, both in the eyes of Gd and felllow man.
My personal view, as stated in the article, is that we do not have here an example of genuine teshuva, but of make-believe teshuva.( See Maimonides, Laws of Teshuva.) I suspect that what we are seeing a typical contemporary, cynical political ploy: say you are sorry (with the emphasis on the "say") and get on with your life. Of course I may be wrong [hope i am}
If these individuals have in fact done genuine,heartfelt teshuva - which involves real regret about their actions and not just regret about being caught and embarrassed - (and this is only between them and God)then, in the view of classical Judaism, they can resume their normal activities.

J. M.,
July 21, 2013 4:59 PM

If the shame in these two cases were genuine, some lingering

sense of it would compel both men to avoid public scrutiny for a long time, at least long enough for the immediate association of these names with the repugnant images of their lapses. I say lapses to heutralize the thought and spare myself, not them. That Mr. Spitzer has a job on TV,as I understand, and Mr. Weiner has not disappeared from view speaks barns and stables full of Azut and Chutzpa about their lack of shame. I wouldn't mind so much if both or either one, carried names like Scott or Wiggins. Weiner and Spitzer shamed not only themselves with their bad behaviour and poor impulse control. I agree with Rabbi feldman. True Teshuva includes some degree of humility and shame. (Pardon the lower case feldman, uppercase is stuck,no disrespect intended.) WIth admiration for a thought provoking article, as usual.

I want to know about the concept of "sin" due to Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge. The Christian concept of sin revolves around the fall of the man and the "original sin." Does Judaism view it the same way?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Adam and Eve were punished according to their actions. In other words, God laid down the conditions for Adam and Eve to live in the garden, provided they would not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. However, if they were to eat from that tree they would be punished by experiencing death. (If they had not eaten from the tree, they would have remained immortal.)

This sets down the basic principle in Judaism of Reward and Punishment. Basic to this is that every person has the choice of doing good or bad. When a person chooses "good" – as defined by God – he is able to draw close to God. In other words, every individual has a chance to "gain salvation" through his own actions.

My understanding of Christianity, however, is that the Original Sin has infected all of mankind to the point where individuals are incapable of achieving salvation through their own initiative. Man is "totally depraved" and therefore his only hope of salvation is through the cross.

This belief is contrary to the teachings of Judaism. From the Torah perspective, an individual does not need to rely on anyone else to atone for them. In Judaism, sins can be "erased" altogether by sincere repentance and a firm resolution never to repeat the mistakes.

For more on this, read "Their Hollow Inheritances" by Michael Drazin – www.drazin.com

Yahrtzeit of Moses in 1273 BCE (Jewish year 2488), on the same day of his birth 120 years earlier. (Consequently, "May you live to 120" has become a common Jewish blessing.) Moses was born in Egypt at a time when Pharaoh had decreed that all Jewish baby boys be drowned in the Nile River. His mother set him afloat in a reed basket, where he was -- most ironically -- discovered by Pharaoh's daughter and brought to Pharaoh's palace to be raised. When Moses matured, his heart turned to aid the Jewish people; he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Jew, and he fled to Midian where he married and had two sons. God spoke to Moses at the Burning Bush, instructing him to return to Egypt and persuade Pharaoh to "let My people go." Moses led the Jews through the ten plagues, the Exodus, and the splitting of the Red Sea. Seven weeks later, the Jews arrived at Mount Sinai and received the Torah, the only time in human history that an entire nation experienced Divine revelation. Over the next 40 years, Moses led the Jews through wanderings in the desert, and supervised construction of the Tabernacle. Moses died before being allowed to enter the promised Land of Israel. He is regarded as the greatest prophet of all time.

Lack of gratitude is at the root of discontent. In order to be consistently serene, we must master the attribute of being grateful to the Creator for all His gifts. As the Torah (Deuteronomy 26:11) states, "Rejoice with all the good the Almighty has given you." This does not negate our wanting more. But it does mean that we have a constant feeling of gratitude since as long as we are alive, we always have a list of things for which to be grateful.

[Just before Moses' death] God said to him, "This is the Land that I promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" (Deuteronomy 34:4).

The Midrash says that Moses pleaded to live long enough to be able to enter the Promised Land. He surrendered his soul only after God instructed him to enter Heaven and inform the Patriarchs that the Israelites had come to their Land and that God had indeed fulfilled His promise to give the Land of Israel to their descendants. To fulfill God's will was dearer to Moses than his craving to enter the Land.

It is only natural to cling to life, and the thought of leaving this world is depressing. However, if a person develops the attitude that he lives only in order to fulfill God's will, then life and death are no longer polar opposites, because he lives to do the will of God, and when that will requires that he leave this world, he will be equally obedient.

The seventh day of Adar is the anniversary of Moses' death. He wanted to enter the Promised Land so that he could fulfill the commandments and thereby have a new opportunity to fulfill the Divine wish. He surrendered his soul willingly when he was told that there was a special commandment for him to perform, one that could only be achieved after leaving this earth.

We refer to Moses as Rabbeinu, our teacher. He not only taught us didactically, but by means of everything he did in his life - and by his death, as well.

Today I shall...

try to dedicate my life to fulfilling the will of God, so that even when that will contradicts my personal desires, I can accept it with serenity.

With stories and insights,
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